Comment by newscracker
16 days ago
Archive link: https://archive.is/3Pp0U
I was wondering whether this is about Advanced Data Protection, which encrypts almost all data end-to-end on iCloud. It’s only later in this report that it gets into this key detail:
> At issue is cloud storage that only the user, not Apple, can unlock. Apple started rolling out the option, which it calls Advanced Data Protection, in 2022.
Before stating this, the article says:
> Rather than break the security promises it made to its users everywhere, Apple is likely to stop offering encrypted storage in the U.K., the people said.
This means Apple would be prevented from providing Advanced Data Protection to users in the U.K.
Not making Advanced Data Protection available is made worse by this requirement:
> One of the people briefed on the situation, a consultant advising the United States on encryption matters, said Apple would be barred from warning its users that its most advanced encryption no longer provided full security.
Apple can appeal, but is forced to comply meanwhile (until the appeal is heard) anyway:
> Apple can appeal the U.K. capability notice to a secret technical panel, which would consider arguments about the expense of the requirement, and to a judge who would weigh whether the request was in proportion to the government’s needs. But the law does not permit Apple to delay complying during an appeal.
If they had some balls, they would just stop offering icloud altogether in the UK until they have appealed. Let's see how the judge feels when half the country can't access their files anymore and Apple points to this decision as the reason.
Not just most of the judges, but most of the MPs who voted on this. Let them eat their own cake.
I think they could do something like what Tik Tok did, by letting users know why they can no longer provide the service.
I would personally give Apple money to see them actually stand-up to this. What's probably more concerning is the number of companies not complaining about this at all.
UK judges are not elected, and don't do things on the basis of what the public thinks.
This headline comes to mind: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enemies_of_the_People_(headlin...
Judges only interpret the law as laid down by parliament. And, in theory at least, parliament cares about public opinion.
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> when half the country can't access their files anymore and Apple points to this decision as the reason.
Governments are extremely powerful. They may issue a gag order (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gag_order) that makes it illegal for Apple to do that.
Even in that case, Apple could withdraw from the market.
If push comes to shove and apple actually called their bluff and withdrew completely from the UK market, I'd bet that that government would become so unpopular that they would not be elected again for quite some time.
Gag orders affect information, not whether they continue to provide a service or not.
I expect everyone would read between the lines if Apple simply offered "no comment".
> the law does not permit Apple to delay complying during an appeal.
Seems absurdist. They have to implement the backdoor, appeal, and only if the appeal is successful can they disable it.
Apple can't offer icloud with encryption. It doesn't force them to offer the service at all afaict? Forcing a company to offer service at all seems like a gigantic judicial overstep IMO.
Apple doesn't have the same dominance in the UK than it does in the US, so the UK would probably just tough that one out.
I have zero clue where you’re getting this from. iPhone is incredibly popular and every politician has one.
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Then it sounds like they don’t have much to lose ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
> Apple points to this decision as the reason.
Unlikely. That's illegal.
Roll out the change in the city of London first and watch the finance sector crash :D The rest of the UK probably won't have to follow suit.